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Calls for death penalty for convicted Delhi gang rapists

Michael EdwardsUpdated
Wed 11 Sep 2013, 8:30 AM AEST

In India, demands are growing for four men convicted of last year's gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old-woman to be handed death sentences. The Delhi gang rape provoked outrage and debate across India about the way women are treated in the world's largest democracy. But some human rights activists say the death penalty will do nothing to stop sexual assaults on women.

Transcript

TIM PALMER: In India, demands are growing for four men convicted of last year's gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman to be handed death sentences.

The Delhi gang rape provoked outrage and debate across India about the way women are treated in the world's largest democracy.

The men were found guilty yesterday after an eight month trial.

But some human rights activists say applying the death penalty will do nothing to stop sexual assaults against women.

South Asia correspondent Michael Edwards reports from New Delhi.

(Sound of demonstrators chanting)

MICHAEL EDWARDS: The four men were escorted out of the court complex amid tight security. On either side of their bus were demonstrators carrying banners calling for the men to hang for the gang rape and murder of the 23-year-old student in New Delhi last December.

WOMAN: We are here to announce, announce our demand that there should be a death penalty in every rape cases.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Now known to Indians as Nirbhaya, the victim's parents welcomed the conviction. Her father spoke of the family's long ordeal through their daughter's death and the trial.

FATHER (translated): I do believe that although the process of justice did take longer than we expected and I didn't like that, but they have been proven guilty and I am very happy. And now I am confident that our daughter will get justice.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Her mother believes the only way justice can be served is if the men receive the death penalty.

MOTHER (translated): I think the message would spread throughout society, which would create fear in the minds of people and men would at least think twice before doing such barbaric acts and hopefully such incidents will come down, if not end completely.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: The brutality of the attack shocked Indians, a place where brutal rapes and murders are reported in the media on a daily basis. The case resonated with thousands of urban people who took to the streets in fury.

Public opinion seems largely in favour of the death penalty being handed down to the men.

WOMAN 2: I actually am for capital punishment because I think it's more fear inducing and it's a warning for all the other men out there. So, I'm for capital punishment.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: But there are those who aren't so certain the death penalty will really help make women safer.

WOMAN 3: Well, personally speaking, I'm not for capital punishment because it's a very easy way of getting rid of them, but maybe keeping them in isolation from the rest of the world for the rest of their lives and that is really punishment because they won't see humanity at all.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: Kavita Krishnan is an activist who was a leading figure during the protests after the Delhi gang rape.

KAVITA KRISHNAN: I really wouldn't be happy with looking at this case as an exception and then expecting an exceptional verdict in it. Death penalty is always an exceptional verdict.

I would rather expect a life sentence and something which is a punishment which can be adhered to, you know, by others, which can set a standard which in every case of violence against women, this kind of sexual violence. In every case of rape, that kind of justice may be expected.

MICHAEL EDWARDS: The teenager convicted over the gang rape received a three year jail term, to be served in a juvenile facility. The sentencing hearing for the four adults begins today.